# 5510 - 2020 First-Class Forever Stamps - Ruth Asawa: Five Interlocking Double Trumpets
US #5510
2020 Untitled Sculpture From 1978 – Ruth Asawa
- One of 10 stamps picturing different wire sculptures by Japanese- American artist Ruth Asawa
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Ruth Asawa
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 13, 2020
First Day City: San Francisco, California
Quantity Issued: 18,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa and her contributions to the art and education worlds.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo of a Ruth Asawa wire sculpture.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The First Day of Issue postmark was from San Francisco, California, home to the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.
About the Ruth Asawa set: Includes 10 stamps picturing photographs by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo of different Ruth Asawa wire sculptures. The set celebrates Asawa’s art as well as her contributions to the field of education. It also honors the hardships she endured as a Japanese-American US citizen during and after World War II.
History the stamp represents: For decades, Ruth Asawa was known as the “Fountain Lady” in San Francisco. While all of her fountains are popular with the public, one she made in 1972 is particularly impressive and was recently saved by public outcry.
The San Francisco Fountain, as it’s known, was built for the Grand Hyatt. Asawa enlisted the help of over 100 school children and friends to sculpt hundreds of small scenes out of baker’s clay. She then arranged them on a seven-foot-tall circular wall that went around the fountain. Cast in bronze, the wall was 14 feet in diameter and was covered with San Francisco landmarks and fictional characters. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, a cable car, and Snoopy are just a few of the items depicted on the wall.
By 1992, the fountain was in need of repair. Then in 2013, a major retailer planned to build a store where the fountain stood. Local community groups, historical and art societies, and citizens of San Francisco all spoke out and saved the fountain. It was repaired and restored to a functioning fountain.
Asawa’s San Francisco Fountain is one of the most popular fountains in the area. It is also a testament to one of her greatest beliefs – that art is for everybody. Both in getting people involved to express their creativity and in interacting with the public.
US #5510
2020 Untitled Sculpture From 1978 – Ruth Asawa
- One of 10 stamps picturing different wire sculptures by Japanese- American artist Ruth Asawa
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Ruth Asawa
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 13, 2020
First Day City: San Francisco, California
Quantity Issued: 18,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa and her contributions to the art and education worlds.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo of a Ruth Asawa wire sculpture.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The First Day of Issue postmark was from San Francisco, California, home to the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.
About the Ruth Asawa set: Includes 10 stamps picturing photographs by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo of different Ruth Asawa wire sculptures. The set celebrates Asawa’s art as well as her contributions to the field of education. It also honors the hardships she endured as a Japanese-American US citizen during and after World War II.
History the stamp represents: For decades, Ruth Asawa was known as the “Fountain Lady” in San Francisco. While all of her fountains are popular with the public, one she made in 1972 is particularly impressive and was recently saved by public outcry.
The San Francisco Fountain, as it’s known, was built for the Grand Hyatt. Asawa enlisted the help of over 100 school children and friends to sculpt hundreds of small scenes out of baker’s clay. She then arranged them on a seven-foot-tall circular wall that went around the fountain. Cast in bronze, the wall was 14 feet in diameter and was covered with San Francisco landmarks and fictional characters. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, a cable car, and Snoopy are just a few of the items depicted on the wall.
By 1992, the fountain was in need of repair. Then in 2013, a major retailer planned to build a store where the fountain stood. Local community groups, historical and art societies, and citizens of San Francisco all spoke out and saved the fountain. It was repaired and restored to a functioning fountain.
Asawa’s San Francisco Fountain is one of the most popular fountains in the area. It is also a testament to one of her greatest beliefs – that art is for everybody. Both in getting people involved to express their creativity and in interacting with the public.